HB58: HB58 Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize

Georgia law already limits how cities and counties can regulate drones, mostly preempting local ordinances in favor of state and federal rules. This bill amends that law (O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4) to add a new statewide rule aimed at ticketed events. It defines a 'ticketed entertainment event' as any music, sporting, or performing arts event held at a gated or barricaded location where attendance requires a revocable license, essentially a ticket. Under the bill, operating a drone within 400 feet of or above such an event without permission becomes a misdemeanor. The bill carves out exceptions for people who get consent from someone with authority over the event, drone operators following FAA rules, event or utility employees doing official work, and private landowners flying over their own property as long as it is not commercial and does not interfere with the event. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Creates a new statewide misdemeanor for flying an unmanned aircraft system (drone) within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event without permission.
• Defines 'ticketed entertainment event' as a music, sporting, or performing arts event at a gated or barricaded venue requiring a ticket or revocable license to attend.
• Keeps the existing statewide preemption of most local drone ordinances, while still letting local governments enforce pre-2017 ordinances or ones matching FAA rules.
• Adds exceptions to the new no-fly rule for consenting event organizers, FAA-authorized operators, event or utility employees on official business, and private landowners flying non-commercially over their own land.
• Sets the law to take effect immediately once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

Drone operators and hobbyists, organizers and venues hosting ticketed concerts, sporting events, or performances, event security staff, utility company employees who use drones for work, and private landowners near such venues who fly their own drones.

Concertgoers, athletes, and performers at ticketed events would gain a legal barrier against drones flying close overhead, and violators could face misdemeanor charges. Drone hobbyists and businesses would need to know the 400-foot boundary and qualify for an exception, such as landowner status or event consent, to fly legally near these gatherings.

• Revises O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 to add a definition of 'ticketed entertainment event' covering gated or barrier-controlled venues requiring a revocable license for entry.
• Retains the existing definition of 'unmanned aircraft system' with minor wording changes, clarifying it excludes satellites.
• Keeps the state preemption of local drone ordinances but preserves exceptions for pre-April 2017 ordinances, FAA-consistent ordinances, and rules about launching or landing on public property.
• New subsection (d)(1) makes it unlawful to operate a drone within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event.
• Subsection (d)(2) classifies violations as a misdemeanor.
• Subsection (d)(3) lists five exceptions: consent from event authorities, FAA-authorized lawful operation, event employees on official business, utility employees on official business, and private landowners flying non-commercially over their own property without interfering with the event.
• Section 2 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.

1. 2025-04-01Effective Date 2025-04-01
2. 2025-04-01Act 4
3. 2025-04-01House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-01House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-27House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended (House)
7. 2025-03-21Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
8. 2025-03-21Senate Third Read (Senate)

• Gary Richardson (R, HD-125)Primary sponsor
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)
• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 21, 2025

   153 yea, 4 nay (13 not voting, 10 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #60

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 21, 2025

   53 yea, 2 nay (0 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #267

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2025

   162 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 14 absent)

   Agree To Senate Sub As Am: House Vote #328

4. FailedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   12 yea, 41 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #361

5. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   54 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #362

• drone laws
• aviation regulation
• public safety
• event security
• local government authority